NJ Transit's Fourth of July travel plans

New Jersey Transit is offering travel tips for people planning to watch the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks display over the Hudson River.

Below is an overview of NJ Transit service for the Fourth:

New Jersey's Hudson River Waterfront is accessible by NJ TRANSIT rail, bus and light rail service to Hoboken Terminal. NJ TRANSIT operates six rail lines and five bus routes with direct service to Hoboken, as well as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. Please note that the five bus routes and other routes that serve the Hudson River Waterfront may experience delays and detours on July 4 as a result of traffic congestion.

Rail Service

On July 4, the following rail lines will provide service to Hoboken:

Main Line

Bergen County Line

Pascack Valley Line

Port Jervis Line

Morris & Essex Lines (transfer at Newark Broad Street Station)

Montclair Line (from Bay Street Station and points east only)

On the Morris & Essex Lines, NJ TRANSIT will supplement existing weekend service with eight additional trains to and from Hoboken Terminal, including four trips between Dover and Hoboken, three trips between Summit and Hoboken, and an additional trip from Newark Broad Street to Hoboken. Additional trains to Hoboken before the event will operate between approximately 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. After the show, extra Morris & Essex trains are scheduled to depart Hoboken at 10:05 p.m., 10:40 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 12:25 a.m.

On the Port Jervis Line, an additional train will depart Port Jervis at 4:07 p.m., make all stops to Suffern, and then operate express to Secaucus Junction and Hoboken.

Visit njtransit.com/fireworks for rail schedule details. All other rail lines will operate on a regular weekend schedule.

Customers traveling from New York City or stations along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast or Raritan Valley lines can transfer at the Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction to reach Hoboken Terminal or take PATH service to Hoboken from stations in New York, Newark, Harrison or Jersey City.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail connects the waterfront communities of Hudson County, including service to Hoboken Terminal and Liberty State Park. On July 4, light rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule (trains every 20 minutes), with additional trips between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken starting after 4 p.m.

Extra Bus Service to/from New York

NJ TRANSIT will operate extra trips on selected bus routes on July 4 to accommodate customers traveling to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) in New York. Extra service will operate a few minutes ahead of regularly scheduled trips on the routes listed below. Customers should arrive at their boarding location 10 minutes earlier than the departure time.

No. 188 River Road- G.W. Bridge: Service will be detoured between Gorge Road in Edgewater and 60th Street in Weehawken.

Travel Advice for Customers

To help ensure a safe, enjoyable trip, NJ TRANSIT is offering the following travel tips:

Plan Ahead. NJ TRANSIT rail and light rail service will operate on a weekend schedule. Get your schedule information in advance from njtransit.com.

Buy Roundtrip Tickets Before Starting Your Trip. Remember, you'll need a ticket to get home. Please purchase round-trip tickets from ticket vending machines at your boarding station before getting on a Hoboken-bound train. Ticket lines will be long after the fireworks, and customers will not be allowed to board a train without a ticket. On light rail, you must activate your ticket by time-stamping it in an orange machine before boarding the train. On buses to Port Authority Bus Terminal, purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip from bus operators inbound to New York or at ticket vending machines where available. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.

Arrive Early. You're smart for taking public transportation, but many other people have the same great idea. Plan to arrive on the Waterfront as early as possible, and consider staying around for a bit after the fireworks are over. The busiest trains will be those immediately preceding and following the event.

Delays are possible. Large crowds can sometimes have an impact on train operations. Be courteous to your fellow riders by standing clear of the doors, moving all the way into the car, and making all seats available.

Know the Rules. Due to crowding conditions, bicycles may not be brought aboard NJ TRANSIT trains on July 4. As a reminder, smoking is not permitted aboard trains, in stations or on platforms.